Flooding Problems

The upper reaches of the River Calder and its largest tributary, the River Colne, are characterised by deep, narrow, steep sided valleys. Its corridor gradually widens out as you proceed downstream. The nature of the Calder valley makes the river respond rapidly to rainfall and over the years many disastrous floods have occurred. The human dimension of this was worsened during the Industrial Revolution when the river floodplain was developed for industry and housing.

Two sites on the main river have been identified as presenting some flooding problems, whilst not being in the current programme of river works. These are:

• The River Calder at Hebden Bridge, where the channel capacity of the main river and the non-main river of Hebden Water are inadequate. Flooding occurs one year in five, whilst major floods happen one year in fifteen. The A646, 151 houses, 12 commercial premises and 20 shops are affected. The worst event occurred in 1946 when practically all the riverside property was affected.
  
• Halifax, Tenterfields Business Park, which was badly affected in 1991.